Machine for folding carton blanks



Oct. 15-, 1935. F. JjB uRRow MACHINE FOR FOLDING CARTON BLANKS Filed Sept. 14,1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 15, 1935. F. J. BURROW MACHINE FOR FOLDING CARTON BLANKS Filed Sept. 14,1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 miwllillllllll g Oct. 15, 1935. F. J. BURROW MACHINE FOR FOLDING CARTON BLANKS Filed Sept. 14, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented? Oct; 15, 19 35 MACIHNE FOR FOLDING CARTON BLANKS Frank J. Burrow, ToledoQOhio, assignor of onehalf to Ernest I. Stephenson, Toledo; Qhio Application September 14', 1933, Serial No. 689,485

1 V V 6 Claims.

This invention relates to carton folding machines, but more particularly to machines for folding: cartons having notched flaps insertable in slits formed in the adjacent side wall of the carton to enable the side walls to be interlocked securely forholding the same in useful position Anobject of the invention is to produce a new and improved machine of this character which 101 the carton together and securely interlock the Sld8lWal1 portions.

Another object is to produce a carton-folding machine having the new and improved features of. construction, arrangement and operation I hereinafter described.

The invention is shown by way of illustration, but not of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a carton folding machine;

I Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line. 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing one of g the end folding plates and operating mechanism therefor; V

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the folding mechanism;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectionalview on the line 6-6 of Figures 5.;

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the lip opener to provide an opening suitable for receiving a/notched' flap;

Figure 8 is a view" similar to Figure 7 showing the parts in operative position with the slot opened to receivethe flap;-

Figure 9 isan enlarged sectional view showing the manner in which the end folding plates fold the ends of the carton blank;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showingthe position the partsassume after the end flaps are in locked position and the innermost position of the end folding plates; and

mechanism is provided for each of the folding Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line ll l tically disposed link l5 toatreadle l6 mounted on the base II. An helical spring I! connected respectively to the pedestal and treadle l6 normally holds the latter inraised position.

- Secured centrally to the shaft I3 is a cam l8, 5' and" also fixed to the shaft I3 on opposite sides of the cam l8 are cams l9', as will hereinafter appear. The cam I8 is adapted to actuate the is operative efficiently to fold the side walls of" side folding plates, whereas the cams l9 actuate the end folding plates, the camsJISbeing arranged with respect to the cam l8 so that the action of the cams I9 is delayed substantially until the side folding operation has been ac-' complished.

v Mounted above the frame l2 on'legs 20 is a horizontally disposed rectangular flat carton supporting platen'2l. Hingedly connected to the platen 2| and disposed at opposite ends thereof are end folding plates 22, which are connected to the platen 2| by hinges 23, and on opposite sides of the platen are sidex'folding plates 24, which are connected to the platen 2! by hinges 25'. The pivotal connection between the end folding plates 22 and the'platen 2| are 25 posed slightly beneath the pivotal connection between the platen and the side folding plates 24 for a purpose" hereinafter appearing. Normally, the plates 22 and 24 are disposed in their lower position substantially in alignment with the platen 2|, each of the hinges being provided with stop'plates or extensions 26 for limiting the downward swinging movement to hold them in the desired normal position. a 7

As shown in Figure 4, the side folding plates 24 are conjointly actuated so that upon depression ofthe treadle l6, both plates 24 swing upwardly substantially to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4. For this purpose, similar plates 24, and description of one is deemed sufficient. As shown, a bell crank 21 is pivoted at 28 and has a roller 29 engaging the cam I 8. Pivoted to the opposite end of the bell crank 21- is a link 30, which is connected at its opposite end to an arm 3| pivoted at 32. The opposite end of the arm 3| is pivoted to an arm 33 secured to the underside of a folding plate 24. i It will be apparent that the parts are so constructed and arranged that upon depression of the treadle I3 both systems of links and levers are actuated by the cam l8 simultaneously to swing both plates upwardly, and upon release of the treadle the plates 24 are caused to swing outwardly to nor-;

mal position.

. by a eoil'spring 31. Pivoted to the opposite end of the bell crank 34 is an arm 38 connected to the underside'of an end folding plate 22. It will be apparent that upon turning movement imparted to the shaft l 3'by actuation of the treadle it, both end folding plates-22 swing upwardlylto the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, but this movement does not take place untilafter movement has been imparted to the side folding plates 24 in view of the relative arrangement of the cams l9 and 18 heretofore referred to.

This machine is designed to fold cartons having a body portion or bottom wall A, side walls B, and end walls C. Extending laterally from opposite ends of the end walls C are end flaps D having a hook shaped endportion E providing a notch F. Formed in opposite end portions of each of the side flaps B is a substantially L-shaped slit G through which the hooked end'E of the flap D is adapted to be inserted and to interlock *therein for scurely holding the walls of the carton in folded position with the walls thereof dis- .posed substantially at right angles to the body portion-A. It will be observed that the slit G provides a flap G, which is folded away, from the adjacent wall to admit the flap D as will hereinafte'rlappear. Cartons of this description are wellknown to those skilled in this art, and further detailed description thereof is not considered necessary. It will be apparent that a carton, a supply thereof being supported on the shelf 39 mountedin any suitable manner on the pedestal Ill and frame i2, is placed'in flat or unfolded position on thevplates 2| with the end flaps C resting on the end plates 22 and side flaps or walls B resting on the: side folding plates 24.

' It will be noted that a flange 40 extends along the free edge of each of the folding plates 24 against which the free edge of the side walls B may abut. These flanges serve to properly position the cartonblank on the machine.

It will also be noted that a flange 4| is provided on the free edge of each of the end folding plates 22 for a similar'purpose, and also mounted on each of the end plates is a spring 42. As-

shown in Figure 6, the spring 42 is secured at one end to the back of each folding plate 22 by a rivet 43, the opposite end portion of the spring being folded upon itself and positioned frictionally to engage the adjacent free edge of the end flap or wall C of the carton.

From the above description, it is apparent that the carton can be readily and conveniently dissite directions in order two devices-of this posed in the proper position upon the platen 2|,

- and, upondepression of the pedal I6, the side folding plates 24 swing upwardly. Following this movement, the end folding plates 22 swing upwardly, thereby to fold the walls of the carton into a position substantially at right angles to the bottom wall or body A of the carton.

Mechanism is provided for opening the slot G by bending portions of the carton walls in oppofreely to admit theinsertion of the end flap B. Such mechanism is disposed in the region of each of the slots G and structure are carried by each of the side folding plates 24. As shown, a boss 44 is formed on each end portion of the folding plates 24' and pivoted at 45 to the boss 44 is a otal connection 45. Secured to the pin 53 is a rod 54-, the free end of which slides through a flange 55 depending from the underside of the folding plate 24 adjacent the inner end thereof. Fixed 1 to the rod 54 is a collar 56 and disposed on the rod 54 between the collar 55 and the flange 55 is a coil spring 57. Also fixed to the collar 56 and passing through the flange 55 is an'arm 58, which has a hook shaped end 59 adapted to en- 2 gage a rod 60, which is secured to the underside of the platen 2| andprojects outwardly beyond the edge thereof.

In operation, whenthe folding plates 24 are swung upwardly each of the side walls or flaps B are folded upwardly at substantially right angles to the bottom or body portion A, and, during such movement, the folding finger 52 engages the outer side of the carton wall B in the region of the slotted portion G substantially as shown in Figure 8. At the same time the nose 49 of the abutment arm 49 abuts against the inner side and urges the same toward the folding plate 24. Thus, it is apparent that the abutment lever 49 is moved inwardly toward the 35 side folding plate 24, but the finger 52, which inwardly, thereby opening the slit G in the desired manner. 40

This movement is accomplished upon engagement by the hooked end 59 of the arm 58 and the rod 60, which, upon further movement of the parts, operates to swing the arm 45 in a clockwise direction (Figures 7 and 8), which,'through 45 a. spring 6| disposedbetween the arm 46 and the pin 48, imposes a yieldable pressure on the abutment arm 49 to actuate the arm in the same direction. At the same time movement is imparted to the bell crank 5|, causing the same-to move in a counter clockwise direction to swing the flnger 52 upwardly (Figure 7). During this movement of the parts, the spring 51 will have been compressed so that upon release of the treadle to allow the parts to return to normal position, 55 the abutment lever 49 and finger 52 snap in opposite directions away from the folded carton.

As indicated in Figure 11, a portion of the folding plates 24 is recessed at 62 to receive the side wall or flap B in order to allow the end 60 flap D to move freely through the slot G without striking against the free edge of the wall B. As above pointed out, the end folding plates 22 move after movement has been imparted to the side foldingplates 24. Since the pivotal mounting of the end folding plate 22is below that of the side folding plates 24, the operation is to impart a downward swinging movement to the flaps D to insure their proper insertion into the slitted portions G, which, as above described, have been 70 opened properly to freely admit the same. It will be apparent from an inspection of Figures 9 and 10, that as the end folding plates 22 swing upwardly, the end flaps D are forced inwardly and downwardly in such manner that they are 76 freely inserted into the slitted portions G. After the hooked end E is moved well within the slitted portion, the end walls will have moved slightly past vertical position, and, upon release of the treadle IS, the side plates 24 swing outwardly away from the carton, and also the end folding plates 22 move in the same direction. Since the spring 42 is in frictional engagement with the end walls of the carton, they impart a slight retrograde or reverse movement to the end walls C to interlock the flap D in the side walls B, as will be readily apparent from an inspection of Figure 10.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in "details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for folding cartons having slitted side walls adapted to receive hook flaps on end walls thereof, a support for a, carton blank, means for folding the sides and ends of the blank, means operable conjointly with said folding means for inserting each flap through the adjacent slip and causing the parts to lock together, said folding means being operable slightly to buckle a portion of the end walls to enable the flaps to be forced freely into the respective slitted portions, and means to impose retrograde movement to the end walls to insure inter-engagement between the hook flaps and slitted side walls.

2. In a machine for folding cartons having hook flaps and slitted portions in the walls thereof, means to bend the walls of the carton at right angles to the body portion, and means coacting with said folding means for simultaneously inserting each hook flap into its respective slitted portion, said inserting means including means frictionally engaging the walls having the flaps for imparting retrograde movement thereto for insuring inter-engagement between the hook portions and slitted portions.

3. In a machine for folding cartons having hook flaps and slitted portions in the wallsthereof, means to bend the walls of the carton at right angles to the body portion, means coacting with said folding means for simultaneously inserting each hook flap into its respective slitted portion, i

said inserting means including elements operable in opposite directions for opening the slitted portions to receive the flaps respectively, and means to impose retrograde movement to the walls having flaps to insure inter-engagement between 10 the hook portions and slitted portions.

4. In a machine for folding cartons having hook flaps and slitted portions in the walls thereof, means to bend the walls of the carton at right angles to the body portion, said bending 15 means including end and side folding plates, the end-folding plates being adapted to swing on a different radius from the side folding plates to impose a buckling action on the end portion of the carton walls to facilitate insertions of the 20 hook flaps, and means coacting with said folding means for simultaneously inserting each hook flap into its respective slitted portion.

5. In a machine for folding cartons having hook flaps and slitted portions in the walls there- 25 of, means to bend the walls of the carton at right angles to the body portion, means coacting with said folding means for simultaneously in serting each hook flap into its respective slitted portion, said inserting means including an abutting arm engageable with one side of a carton wall adjacent a slitted portion and an opening finger engageable with the opposite side of such wall, and means to actuate the arm and finger in opposite directions.

6. In a machine for folding cartons having hook flaps and slitted portions in the walls thereof means to bend the walls of the carton at right angles to the body portion, means co-acting with said folding means for simultaneously inserting 40 each hook flap into its respective slitted portion, and means for causing retrograde movement of said hook flaps to insure inter-engagement thereof with their respective slitted portions.

FRANK J. minnow. 

